Licensing Jurisdictions
Isle of Man
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
4th Floor
St. Andrews House
Finch Road
Douglas, Isle of Man
United Kingdom IM1 2PX
www.gov.im/gambling
Phone:
+44 1624-694331
Malta
Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority
La Concorde, Abate Rigord Street
Ta Xbiex
Malta MSD 12
www.lga.org.mt
info@lga.org.mt
Phone:
+356 213 165 90
Regulatory Organizations:
eCOGRA
eCOGRA Limited
2nd Floor
Berkeley Square House
Berkeley Square
London
W1J 6BD
United Kingdom
http://ecogra.org/
info@ecogra.org
Phone:
+44 20 7887 1480
eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) is a non-profit organization that monitors its approved online casinos and poker rooms. Players and affiliates can lodge complaints with eCOGRA's Fair Gaming Advocate against any casino or affiliate program that is eCOGRA certified.
EGBA
European Gaming and Betting Association
11 Rond Point Schuman
1040 Brussels
Belgium
http://www.eu-ba.org/en/
egba@egba.eu
The EGBA is a not-for-profit association set up by the seven leading online gaming operators in Europe: PartyGaming, bwin Group, Unibet, bet-at-home.com, Expekt, Interwetten and digibet.
IBAS
Independent Betting Adjudication Service
PO Box 62639
London
EC3P 3AS
http://www.ibas-uk.com/
adjudication@ibas-uk.co.uk
Phone:
+44 20 7347 5882
The Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) acts as an impartial adjudicator on disputes that arise between betting/gambling operators and their customers.
G4
Global Gambling Guidance Group
G4 Head office
P.O. Box 9150
1006 AD Amsterdam
The Netherlands
http://www.gx4.com/index.html
info@gx4.com
Phone:
+31 204124403
G4, the Global Gambling Guidance Group, aims to minimise the impact of problem gaming by promoting a worldwide accreditation programme for the remote and e-gambling industry and operators.
Auditing Services:
Price-Waterhouse Coopers: PWC (one of the “Big Six”
international accounting firms) has been actively auditing online gaming
establishments even though they do not prominently market this facet of the
firm. In their site, gambling would fall under their “Hospitality and
Leisure Industry” section where they only make a mere mention of it as part
of the firms’ experience. PWC does indicate that new gaming jurisdictions
should establish thorough regulatory frameworks. Undoubtedly, PWC does work
with some new gaming jurisdictions as well as some of the individual
casinos. On one hand, PWC draws distinction between auditing and financial
accounting; statistical and econometric performance on the other. Although
websites commonly use the term audit, PWC would be better classified as
statistical and econometric consultants.
KPMG: The firm performs annual quality assurance
reviews known as the "TGTR” (Total Gaming Transaction Review) process with eCOGRA, an industry standard-setting and certification organization
(described below). KPMG Canada has a group of gaming advisers available to
consult on both operational concerns and strategically. Their Canadian
clientele includes the Native American territories and provincial
authorities. In the UK, KPMG has also developed a core group of business
advisors to the gaming industry.
Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta – LGA: Casinos,
Commercial communication games, Horse racing, the National Lottery,
Broadcasting media games, Amusement machines, Commercial Bingo Halls, Remote
Gaming and Non-profit games are all governed by this single regulatory body
– LGA. In 2001, Lotteries and Other Games Act was enacted. Since then,
the LGA established this mission statement: “To regulate competently the
various sectors of the lotteries and gaming industry that fall under the
Authority by ensuring gaming is fair and transparent to the players,
preventing crime, corruption and money laundering and by protecting minor
and vulnerable players.”
APCW (Association of Professional Casino Webmasters):
This organization provides standards and procedures to webmasters regarding:
deposits and withdrawal methods, software downloads & installations,
interactive game play, bonus awards, customer service responsiveness, and
the functionality of web site affiliates. It does not independently audit
individual web sites. Therefore, membership of any web site in the APCW is
evidence that the web site is attempting to meet the guidelines for industry
standard for customer service and procedures. Please note that the
organization is geared to looking out for the well-being of the online
casino webmaster and not the welfare of the general public.
Jacobson Gaming / Certified Fair Gambling: Game
fairness is the only aspect in online casino auditing that they specialize
in. The scope and frequency of their monthly audits is what makes them quite
unique in the industry. The monthly audits include testing for fairness on
every game offered by the online casino (craps, keno, slots, video poker,
roulette, blackjack, etc.) and also RTP reports. Due to their expertise in
professional game analysis and design, they can offer a unique understanding
of each game’s mathematical operation allowing them to design statistical
tests to verify the integrity of each game.
VerifyME: This service provides government agencies and
merchants with border control, age and identity and fraud reduction. VerifyME is an identity verification, international age and fraud prevention
service that utilizes algorithms, government-issued ID database checks and
web-based signature capturing. The system uses information provided by the
consumer to the merchant or entity and cross checks it and confirms the
information. When information is confirmed, the merchant receives a match
code. VerifyME is used in for over 112 nations.
Certified Fair Gambling (CFG): Providing analysis of
gaming logs to online casinos over the Internet is what this
California-based company does. A CFG “Certified Fair” logo can be displayed
by a website whose gaming logs disclose no disturbing concerns regarding
security, fairness or consistency. CFG mainly focuses on the RTP (return to
player) and RNG (random number generator). They do no financial audits,
reviewing of manual controls and procedures, or onsite visits.
eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and
Assurance): Founded in 2003, eCogra is an independent, non-profit, voluntary
industry organization whose objective is to set operating standards and
criteria for online gambling establishments. eCOGRA certification requires
that members comply with each of over 100 or more criteria. Those members
earning certification can display the “Play it Safe” logo on their site –
there are approximately 80 sites that have received certification. There are
several sites seeking certification from eCOGRA, but there are also several
reputable sites that have been in business for several years that choose not
to get certified with them. Fairness Certificates from eCOGRA displayed on
gaming site means: payout percentages on slots, table/poker games and all
other games; and card-shuffling are reported monthly. Blackjack, video poker
and roulette RNG’s are reported twice a year. eCOGRA mediation between
customers and sites for disputes are normally resolved quickly - within 2
days or less.
Technical Systems Testing (TST): TST is an accredited
testing facility for web-based gambling and e-Commerce whose review is
fairness and reliability focused. It includes technical questions like: the
RNG, online gambling sites operating environment, security and procedures.
TST is mainly involves itself with software operation but not the financial
auditing or customer service. Clientele of TST consists of many government
bodies.
The Online Gaming Alliance (OGA): This association is a
diverse mix of independent standards and customers. The alliance consists of
only those websites that use the “Grand Virtual” software which makes it
more like a user group vs. a standard-setting/auditing organization.
Nonetheless, the OGA declares a "Code of Conduct," "Ethical Principles" and
standards and guidelines for website procedures which are simply "embraced"
but not enforced by the web site when it displays the OGA logo. There is no
procedure or auditing process. Periodically, an online review of its
member’s sites is performed to insure that they are not somehow affiliated
with groups banned by OGA. This would include sites that promote violence &
hatred, unlawful gaming to minors, terrorism, child pornography, Internet
fraud, drug use, organized crime. A complaint venue is in place for use by
the public in order to report negative experiences involving members.
Whether OGA is just vendor public relations or industry self-regulation
mainly depends on if your site uses Grand Virtual Software.
Gaming Associates: Gaming Associates is a consulting
firm consisting of gaming industry experts who provide advice and
investigative research to regulators when functioning in a quasi-judicial
forum and when acting in a rule-making capacity. They certify the operating
integrity of procedures and software utilized by gaming web sites. As an
accredited testing facility, Gaming Associates provides independent and
impartial testing, consultation and certifications for industry operators.
This includes the evaluation of internal controls, policies, compliance
programs and security. Gaming Associates does not certify payout percentages
based on gaming logs.
Directorate of Offshore Gaming: The Financial Services
Regulatory Commission (FSRC) supervises all aspects of the Offshore Gaming
industry in Antigua and Barbuda through its regulatory body called the
Division of Gaming. In 1994, Barbuda and Antigua were one of first areas to
license wagering companies and interactive gaming. Their internet gaming
companies fall under the category of “Financial Institutions” and are
governed by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the
Anti-Money Laundering (AML). The Interactive Gaming and Interactive Wagering
Regulations (IGIWR) and International Business Corporations (IBC) Act
provide the regulatory structure for these companies. Due to its single tier
regulation, the Division of Gaming houses some of the largest internet
gaming companies and a controls a significant part of the industry.
European Gaming and Betting Association - EGBA: The
mission of the EGBA is to offer its European consumers freedom to access and
choose which European regulated and licensed online gaming service they use
without unwarranted restrictions. Its goal is also to foster impartial
competition, free from state imposed restrictions, between the European
online gaming operators. Our commitment to social and corporate
responsibility is exemplary. We support the development of regulatory
systems that are non-discriminatory and proportionate.
BMM Compliance: Founded in Melbourne (1981), BMM is
twice as old as the online gaming industry with eight global offices
consulting for almost 300 gaming jurisdictions. Technical investigations for
regulators and operators in the field of forensics are their area of
expertise. They test, assure, and certify software and procedures, and
virtual gaming devices such as shuffle results and RNGs. They also provide
advice, consultation, technical support and services regarding compliance
and operations management to online gaming companies.
Gambling Commission: The Gambling Commission, an NDPB
(independent non-departmental public body who is sponsored by the DCMS
(Department for Culture, Media and Sports) was set up to regulate commercial
gambling in Great Britain under the Gambling Act 2005. The commission
determines the LLCP (license conditions and codes of practice) which set
forth rules that licensed operators must observe. They are also providing
guidance regarding gambling to stakeholders and local authorities. The
commission licenses these types of operators engaging in commercial gambling
in Wales, England and Scotland: over 800 off and nearly 600 on course
bookmakers, nearly 1000 arcade operators, around 150 casinos, over 600 bingo
clubs, nearly 40 external lottery managers, nearly 700 gaming machine and
gambling software providers, and over 150 British-based remote gambling
operators. They do not regulate spread betting or the National Lottery.
Those are regulated by the Financial services Authority and the National
Lottery Commission.
ESSA - The European Sports Security Association: In
2005, leaders of the online sports booking operators established the
European Sports Security Association (ESSA) to monitor insider betting and
unusual betting patterns within each sport. To track this activity and alert
its member of suspicious betting, the ESSA implemented an Early Warning
System. This system allows Sports Regulators and their disciplinary and
legal departments to work together with ESSA thus ensuring regulators are
informed immediately of suspicious activity to so they can prevent any game
manipulation during sporting events. The ESSA has built close
relations with the IOC and many sports regulators. It has a signed
Memorandum of Understanding with FIFA, UEFA, EPFL, The FA, DFB, ATP , ITF,
and WTA. Through these partnerships the ESSA strives to maintain sports
integrity.
iTech Labs: Inspecting the RNG (random number
generator) of the software system used by a website and engaging in RTP
(return to player) audit calculations (auditing payout percentages) is one
of the functions of iTech Labs. They perform monthly audits and publish them
on the web site of the gaming establishment. iTech Labs calculates and
reports the bet to win ratios in several game categories by reviewing the
game logs. For card games, the RTPs are compared to a theoretical benchmark.
They further examine game log data for consistencies but they do no on-site
auditing of controls or procedures nor do they evaluate or examine financial
accounting records.
RGA - The Remote Gambling Association: The RGA was
formed in August 2005 after a merger between the interactive Gaming,
Gambling and Betting Association (iGGBA) and the Association of Remote
Gambling Operators (ARGO). Social responsibility and age verification are
the codes of practice implemented by the RGA to produce a strong framework
that addresses the main issues associated with underage and problem
gambling. The RGA provides codes that help this small group off customers
who have or fear they will develop a gambling problem. It also helps
minimize the number of children who may access online gaming sites. The RGA
formally adopted these codes and compliance to them has been mandatory for
membership since January 2006.
Customer Service Audits - Talisma: With information
acquired through customer surveys or ‘secret shoppers’, the UK-based Talisma
customer service specialists can evaluate the customer service provided
across many sectors and industries. The top 100 UK gambling sites were
evaluated in 2006. The findings showed: one in six phone calls went
unanswered, 40% ignored emails, and one in three online chat sessions
requesting advice went unattended. Companies that are concerned about
improving their levels of customer service contact Talisma and other
customer interaction management consultants to assist them on a regular
basis.
Other Accounting Firms: "Big Six" status is not
required to be active in the field of online gambling. If a website notates
that their procedures and books are audited yet the auditors name is not
familiar; this means that further investigation may be required to find out
if their accountants are legitimate. Bear in mind a couple crucial points:
Since accounting rules differ from country to country, some firms may seem
to give more professional audits than others. This is something to consider
regarding the firm mentioned. Also, in limited circumstances, accounting
firms can be held legally responsible should a member of the public be
injured due to their certification. In this case, the bigger the better
saying may apply – meaning that the bigger and better known the firm is the
better off you will be to rely on their certifications especially since
liability can be a factor. Accounting firms will become more common to web
sites as their services are expanding. As licensing jurisdictions grow more
and more cautious, private investors and security exchanges always required
detailed company information.
I Freakin' Quit: Links to help you quit gambling.
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Licensing jurisdiction, regulatory organizations, and links to websites that will assist you to quit gambling are all here.
